The Best Broccoli Cheese Soup

Description

This broccoli cheese soup truly is The Best!! It’s a hug in a bowl! Full of fresh {or frozen} broccoli, spices, and a velvety cheesy broth! It’s delicious, budget-friendly, and freezes beautifully!

Scale

Ingredients

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 medium yellow onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

salt & pepper, to taste

1 cup water

3 cups whole milk

4–5 cups broccoli florets

1/2 cup minced red, yellow or orange bell peppers

1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1 Tablespoon hot sauce {I used Frank’s Red Hot Sauce}

2 cups grated extra sharp cheddar, plus more for serving

1/3 cup grated carrot {about one carrot}

garnishes:

more shredded cheddar cheese

minced chives or scallions

Instructions

Heat the olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat. When hot, add the diced onion. Season with salt and pepper. Saute the onion for 4 minutes.

Add the minced garlic and continue to cook for a minute longer.

Stir in the flour and continue to stir, cooking the onion/flour mixture over medium heat for two minutes.

Add the milk, water, broccoli, spices, hot sauce and a sprinkle of salt. Bring the mixture to a slight boil and turn the heat to medium-low. Stirring frequently, simmer the soup, uncovered, for 20 minutes. The soup will thicken during this step.

Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the shredded cheese and carrot.

Return the pot to the stovetop and continue to cook over medium-low heat until the cheese is completely melted and the soup is hot. Season with more salt and pepper, if needed.